ERASMUS, to be or not to be? #3

Dobrodošli nazaj, dragi bralec!
This will be my last post from this series. Last one, with more pictures and (a bit) less letters for those who are already tired of reading (first and second post here). At the end of it I came up with some advice for (non-)students, but before that I looked at my international mobility from the higher perspective. And because I prefer numbers and data and lists and statistics… I expressed everything in these terms.

Views from the Ljubljana Castle

142 days or almost 5 months I spent in Ljubljana. Arriving on Valentine’s Day, the city greeted me in the frosty embrace. It was almost April when last traces of snowfall heaps melted and the city revealed itself in full beauty. In the summer I had to say goodbye to Ljubljana, it was a pleasure to meet you. I have never ever heard that someone doesn’t like this city.

I travelled 5 countries, visited 20 cities/towns and explored many places. A piece of my travel stories: one day chilling in my room when I received the message from a stranger. Next day I am on the 5-day Balkan road trip with Erasmus students I have never seen before. They had a free spot in the car, now I have new friends in my life. Note: for me this would not be possible in the “real” reality, because I would go back to bed and don’t even talk with a stranger.

Venice vs. Dubrovnik, what these unique cities have in common? Historical feeling, romantic atmosphere, incredible number of tourists (but the cities are nice, that’s true)

“Pot calling the kettle black.” I am one of them

King’s Landing, Westeros. Crowded as if there is still naked Cersei walking in the streets

I rode 630 km on the bike. Seems to be a lot? I don’t think so, it is less than 5 km per day. What can I do when in Ljubljana is everything so close? For comparison, a Tour de France cyclist needs 3 days to reach it. But 630, not bad either.

I enrolled in 5 courses from 4 study programs at 3 faculties from 2 degrees and 1 university. And why? Because I could, finally no constraints. However, I could hardly expect balanced time schedule. So, eg. Wednesday – 3 lectures and 2 labs – all at once starting before noon and then many free days. I didn’t complain.

I met 70 new people from 22 different countries around the world. (Counting only those I’ve met/talked to more than once.) 40 of them are Erasmus students, 11 school “staff” and – what I didn’t expect – I got to know more Czechs than Slovenians.

I tried food in 20 different restaurants. The best thing about being a student in Slovenia is the possibility to use special coupons almost in every eating place. The student can get whole meal for a few euros, the rest is subsidized by Slovenian Government. In some places the subvention can fully cover the price. The No-free-lunch theorem didn’t come to Slovenia.

I read 1 book, watched 3 TV show series and 5 movies. Sure, this is not very useful information, I’m just filling my statistics. The one book, that’s way below my norm, during the holidays I must catch up the track.

Here comes my collection of a bit bizarre, a bit weird artefacts

I attended 5 Erasmus parties. The welcome party, the goodbye party, the birthday party, the dorm party and the one that I don’t remember. Enough.

I spent 86% of grant money. How is that possible with monthly grant in amount 50% of the Slovenian minimum wage? Considering that Slovenia is a bit more expensive than Bratislava and not a poor country? Being a student.

0 times regretting the decision to go on Erasmus. This doesn’t mean there are no dark times, this means I knew no matter what, after all it will be worth it. The Erasmus will give you many unforgettable everlasting things (just be sure it is not STD).

Till now everything I wrote may seem overly positive and fabulous, but I am not Horst Fuchs and this is not teleshopping where everything is so great and flawless. No. After arrival into unknown place it may last a while, until things get settled and one finds peace in the soul. The “while” may last hours, days or weeks. Or 2 months (ya know).

And then you still haven’t won. The journey has an end and you will go back home where the post-Erasmus depression is already waiting for you. It can hit, and it may hit hard. But these types of days exist regardless the Erasmus. Days, when one can feel useless, because his only contribution to the Universe is in increasing its entropy by dissipating body heat.

Seems familiar? Maybe I haven’t talked about Bratislava very well and praised other countries too much, but after all this is our Beauty on the Danube and with the most beautiful castle!

If you can read between lines, you found out my message (that I recommend going out) and you are already choosing your Erasmus destination. If you still have some excuses, stop. Most of them are pointless, totally.

“But I don’t want to leave {insert something/somebody}.” – You will be back. Guaranteed.

“But I don’t want to extend my study.” – I must admit that I will stay one year longer in the school, and I will do it on purpose. I can “afford” to stay longer because I was only 17 when I for the first time came to this university, but if someone really have a problem with that, it is possible to manage everything on time.

“But I don’t know the language.” – You should. If you don’t, you will after the stay.

“But I have no money.” – Don’t go to Norway, otherwise the grant is enough.

“But I am not an Erasmus person.” – Hæ? Find a better excuse.

“But the offer of agreements is small.” – But there is. Or there are other possibilities and also for non-students.

“But it is difficult.” – No. Difficult is to prove the Riemann hypothesis, not to survive in the civilized foreign country.

“But I am afraid.” – THAT’S THE REASON WHY YOU SHOULD GO.

“I don’t want to go.” – Okay, I give up, your choice.

TL;DR: Are you a student? Go on Erasmus. Are you not a student anymore? Go visit Slovenia.